Chapter 3 The Other Self

"  Morning already!  I'm too comfy to get up", a voice whiny and petulant sounded in Kipwil's ear.

Kipwil's eyes flew open at the whinge and she leapt out of bed, only to see someone who looked exactly like her, huddling back under the bedclothes.

" Who are you?!" exclaimed Kipwil in shock, but got no reply but " shhh I'm sleeping."

Kipwil hurriedly got dressed and went into the next room.  Shaking slightly, she pushed the button to speak to Queen Michelle.  Almost immediately, Queen Michelle's smile filled the room.

" Good Morning!  I see you are up already!" Queen Michelle greeted Kipwil.

" Queen Michelle!! There's something, I mean there's someone in my bed!" Kipwil almost shouted .

Queen Michelle's face became serious as she looked at Kipwil.

" That, my dear, is your Other Self that stops you from reaching your potential.  She is you, when you make excuses, put yourself down or give up.  This is your second task.  You must vanquish her completely, for that attitude cannot allow you to become a full citizen. Your weapon will be your words, you must diminish her completely.  This will be hard, because this evil twin of ourselves will often reappear when you least expect it.  Remember your lesson here, and you will always be triumphant."

And with that, the screen blanked out, leaving Kipwil feeling alone, afraid and confused.

Not really knowing what to do, Kipwil tiptoed back to the bedroom.

" Uh hello? It's time to get up now" she said hesitantly.

" NO!  I'm too tired" came back the grumbled reply.
Use your words as your weapon, that's what Queen Michelle said thought Kipwil.  Taking a breath she reached out and yanked the covers off.

" You will go to bed earlier and then wake up not so tired." She said commandingly.

To her surprise, the other Kipwil, dragged herself out of bed still moaning but she seemed a little paler than before.
" Right," continued Kipwil," Let's go outside and go for a walk.  We might meet some new friends again." Kipwil smiled as she said this, thinking of the fun and the warmth she'd felt yesterday.

" No!" came the whiny voice again..." It's too cold, it's too hot, it's too rainy, it's too windy."
" Fine then.  Let's go meet the people in the Workshop." Kipwil countered swiftly, and watched as the Other Self faded a little more.

They walked out of the dwelling together, Kipwil striding happily to be out and about, eager to explore some more, the Other Self dragging her feet along muttering away to herself..." I can't be bothered, people will just laugh at me, I'll do it all wrong, it won't be fun, I'll become too boring, it's not going to hurt anyway if we just skip one day of this, you deserve a holiday."

And to each Kipwil countered sternly with " Just try for 10 minutes, why would people laugh at you? We'll find somewhere private for you then, learn how to do it the right way, there's no shame in asking for tips or for help, how can learning something new make you boring? Make a game of it to make it fun, it will hurt us if we miss this just try for 10 minutes.  Besides we DESERVE to be happy, healthy, strong and fit.  We'll look better and think better and FEEL better!"

And with each statement, the Other Self faded a little more and a little more, and her voice became quieter and quieter.  At last they came to the Workshop, a large building filled with many different machines and groups of people.  The machines were helping people to sculpt their bodies and to improve their health, there were groups of people attending classes, some on nutrition, some active and one group dancing to Latin rhythms, having the time of their life!  Kipwil felt a surge of energy race through her and she couldn't wait to have a go herself. She noticed there were other 12WBTers with other selfs attached, grumbling and whining and whinging.  One even had a temper tantrum screaming how she wanted that Mars Bar NOW NOW NOW and how mean her 12WBTER was being.

Man, I am glad I don't have one of those, though Kipwil.....a little too soon.

" Why are we here?  You should be home doing housework, you're too busy to waste time in here." came a familiar whiny voice.
" Oh will you please just shut UP!" Kipwil shot back.  " I have done all the jobs already and this time I have scheduled in my diary so I DO have time and I HAVE done the housework!!!!!"

The Other Self faded more and more until she was just an irritating shadow, dogging Kipwil's heels as she tried the new equipment, learned about health and fitness and even tried a yoga class for the first time.  By the end of the day, the shadow was barely visible and Kipwil was feeling great as she started to walk back to her lodgings.

I still have this shadow following me, thought Kipwil, looking behind her slightly.  How do I get rid of her?  I haven't succeeded after all.

Suddenly, the shadow surged into life again, the Other Self, her face twisted into cruelty and meanness tried a last ditch effort.
" You're not good enough for here, you never were.  You have no self discipline, what does someone like you think you can belong here?  Nothing Ever Changes is your home because you will NEVER change!"

Kipwil stopped, her heart as cold as ice. She's right, i don't belong.  i'm just useless and i don't have any self discipline.  i'll never ever be good enough, i'm just fooling myself."

With each statement kipwil was agreeing with she grew more and more defeated, and the Other Self grew and grew and grew until she was big and strong enough to start dragging a depressed and unresisting kipwil towards the city gates.

Whispers were floating around kipwil's head but she couldn't hear them in the depths of her despair.  All she could hear was the Other Self's voice, degrading her until kipwil just wanted to curl up and die. 

Kipwil where are you going?  I thought you wanted this",  one of the whispers found a gap in the tirade the Other Self was beating kipwil with and went directly to her brain. "You have to fight. The hardest fought battle is here and it is time to be victorious!!!!!"

kipwil blinked  and stopped.  The Other Self turned snarling, tightening her grip. " You are coming with me"

" No. I'm not.  I will LEARN self discipline and if I fail I will just keep trying. I have people here to help me and to keep me on the right track.  I DO belong here just as much as everyone else becasue we are all the same.  We are all looking for a BETTER WAY! And I AM GOOD ENOUGH AND THAT IS ENOUGH!!!!!" Kipwil's voice rose to a shout.

With a sound like a balloon deflating, the Other Self shrivelled into a tiny dot.  Just before she winked out of sight altogether, she whispered " I will be back you know. I will."

" Good'" said Kipwil vehemently. " I will be ready and waiting for you."

And with that Kipwil spun around and started walking back to her room.



What next for Kipwil?  Does she remain triumphant? Is she ready for the next task?  Stay tuned.....